Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology (IPN)
The MS and PhD programs in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology combine multiple disciplines at the genetic, molecular, cellular, and organismal level, to answer fundamental questions about animal function and behavior.
Applicants should refer to the Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology Graduate Faculty page for more information on faculty research interests, which include:
- reproductive physiology
- behavioral neuroscience
- neuroendocrinology
- neurodegeneration
- developmental neuroscience
IPN Program Requirements
MS students must complete a minimum of 32 hours of graduate course work; including a minimum of 14 credit hours of formal graduate course work and 6 credit hours of Thesis I.
PhD students must complete a minimum 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree or 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree; including a minimum of 20 credit hours of formal graduate course work and 30 credit hours of Dissertation I.
IPN course requirements
- Responsible Conduct in Research and Teaching
- Seminar in Biology
- A graduate level biostatistics class
- A physiology and/or neurobiology class
Students should enroll in additional courses that provide necessary skills for completion of research projects and that will be beneficial for their professional development. All students must complete the required online Laboratory Safety Training. Students with coursework deficits in curricula of prior degrees should enroll in appropriate graduate-level courses.
IPN common elective courses
- Foundations of Neuroscience
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Neurobiology: Systems and Behavior
- Developmental Neurobiology
- Mechanisms of Disease: Obesity and Related Metabolic Diseases
- Molecular Mechanisms of Disease: Neurological Disorders
- Neurobiology of Drug Addiction
- Neuroendocrinology
- Endocrinology
- Biological Clocks
- Advanced Human Physiology + Advanced Human Physiology: Readings and Case Studies
- Animal Behavior
- Hormones and Behavior
Click here to apply to our MS/PhD programs
IPN Timelines
MS Timeline
- Semester 1: Form faculty guidance committee
- End of Semester 1: Create a program of study to define required coursework
- End of Semester 2: Generate a research proposal
- End of year 2: Complete all required coursework
- Final Semester (average 2.5yr):
- Complete Thesis
- Give Department seminar (30-minute)
- Pass final oral defense
PhD Timeline
- Semester 1: Form faculty guidance committee
- End of Semester 1: Create a program of study to define required coursework.
- End of year 2: Complete all required coursework & take candidacy examination
- End of year 3: Complete prospectus
- Final Semester (average 6yr):
- Complete Dissertation
- Give Department seminar (45-minute)
- Pass final oral defense